Maci Murdock recorded 10 kills and five blocks in the Bulldogs 3-1 loss to Northern Arizona.

Aug. 31, 2012

BOULDER, Colo. -
The Fresno State volleyball team won the first set before falling to Northern Arizona 3-1 (25-19, 21-25, 21-25, 21,25) in the second match of the Omni Hotels Colorado Classic. The Bulldogs (3-2, 0-0 MW) came out on fire in the first set, but the Lumberjacks fought back to win three-straight sets for the victory.

Marissa Brand, Maci Murdock and Korrin Wild recorded 10 or more kills in the match. Brand led the charge with 17 kills. Brand recorded her second-straight double-double also recording 10 digs. She also had a team-high five assisted blocks.

Murdock got off to a hot start with a block as the Bulldogs pulled ahead 3-0 in the first set. She ended the match with 10 kills and five blocks (one solo and four assisted). The Lumberjacks kept the match close, but Murdock came up with a huge kill to keep the momentum in the `Dogs favor. The sophomore followed her kill with an ace as the Bulldogs led NAU, 15-11.

The Lumberjacks rallied scoring four-straight points coming within four of the `Dogs. Murdock recorded the set point with a kill. She finished the first set hitting .375 with two aces. The Bulldogs won the first set 25-19. Brand led Fresno State in the first set hitting .500 with nine kills.

The second set stayed evenly matched with both teams fighting to claim the lead. Korrin Wild dumped the ball over the net giving the `Dogs a 16-12 lead. The junior finished the night with 12 kills in the match. The Lumberjacks went on a 9-2 run to take its first lead of the match 21-18. Sophomore Jaimee-Lee Morrow came off the bench and ended NAU's run with a tipped ball over the net.

Northern Arizona won the second set 25-20. Molly Pearson led the team with three assisted blocks in the set.

The third set mimicked the second by staying close to start with both teams battling to earn a lead. The Bulldogs pulled ahead 13-9 forcing NAU to call a timeout in attempt to slow the `Dogs momentum.

The Lumberjacks came back tying the set 19-19. NAU came from behind to win the third set 25-21.

In the fourth set, the Bulldogs came from behind a block from Murdock gave the `Dogs their first lead of the set, 6-5. Northern Arizona rallied to take back the lead 12-10.

Behind the serving of Cecilia Agraz, the Bulldogs went on a 6-2 run to reclaim the lead 16-14. Freshman Zana Bowens took over on the outside recording five kills in
the fourth set and she hit a team-high .375. Northern Arizona took the fourth set, 25-21, to win the match 3-1.

"Discover Fresno State Volleyball!"-- Catch the action on 790 ESPN The Deuce, which is the flagship radio station for Bulldog Volleyball. The `Dogs home opener is Sept. 7 against Sacramento State at 7 p.m. in the Save Mart Center.